Iowa’s oldest veteran dies at IVH

Teske lived to the age of 106

January 1, 2013

Floyd Teske, the oldest veteran in Iowa and a resident at the Iowa Veterans Home, died at the facility Monday at the age of 106.

"He had a huge impact on the people here," said Michael Hines, staff assistant to the commandant at IVH. "At 106 years old, he lived a full life."

Teske was born July 10, 1906 and is a native of Decorah. In a previous interview with the Times-Republican, Teske said he remembered when World War I ended when he was 12 years old.

Article Photos

T-R FILE PHOTOFloyd Teske talks during an interview in 2011 with the Times-Republican after reaching his 105th birthday. Teske died Monday at the age of 106 at the Iowa Veterans Home.

"Early one morning the fire whistle in Decorah sounded for a long period," Teske said. "It was blown in celebration of the war's end."

Teske played a more pivotal role in World War II, serving his country overseas in the U.S. Army. He entered the Army at the age of 36 in May 1942 and was discharged in October 1945. Teske represented the United States in battles and campaigns held in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Holland and Germany. After his service, Teske spent much of his career working in a funeral home.

He seemed proud of his longevity even saying, "I'm not ashamed of it," when he turned 105 years old.

He said one of the secrets to his long life was being kind to others.

Teske had been a resident at IVH since 2007 and was beloved by the staff there. He amazingly lived on his own in Burlington until the age of 100. He was married to his wife Helen for 32 years and the couple had no children.